A Chinese interpreter says retailers will need to be patient with tourists touching down in Cairns on the first ever direct flight from China to far north Queensland later this week.

Hundreds of Chinese tourists will arrive in Cairns early Wednesday morning on China Eastern Airlines from Shanghai.

Interpreter Lei Wang says she's 'excited' that more Chinese people will have the opportunity to visit far north Queensland but warns the language barrier may prove difficult in some circumstances.

"It's very important [that] people give good service," Ms Wang said. "For example when Chinese go shops [it's good to] hear some words to welcome them and try to help instead of ignoring them because they don't speak the language."

"Good service and good communication is so important for tourists."

Ms Wang is the only Mandarin accredited interpreter in far north Queensland that is recognised by Australia's national body for translators and interpreters, NAATI.

But she says many tour guides in the region are proficient or fluent in Mandarin but simply don't have the same qualifications.

"I'm sure there are many [people in Cairns] that can do this job. They just have to pass some exams," she said.